|
Areolar connective tissue is a loose connective tissue comprised of a semifluid ground substance containing several kinds of loosely-arranged fibers and cells. This is the most widespread type of connective tissue. It is found in every microscopic section of the body, fastening down the skin, membranes, vessels and nerves as well as binding muscles and other parts together. There are two types of fibers, the most numerous of which are thicker, lightly-staining collagenous fibers that crisscross the matrix in a random fashion. Thinner, more darkly stained elastic fibers composed of the protein elastin can also be seen. The principal type of cells seen are lightly-staining fibroblasts that secrete the matrix materials. |
